With a concept similar to SkyTrex Adventure in Shah Alam, Selangor, I was full of trepidation prior to my visit to ESCAPE’s Adventureplay in Teluk Bahang, Penang. While I would like to try the games to bring out the kid in me, I am afraid of heights at the same time. See, it’s more a mental challenge than a physical one when it comes to playing at an extreme theme park such as this.

Adventureplay

owner Mr. Sim Choo Kheng, showing the plans he has for ESCAPE

There is actually nothing to be afraid of as ESCAPE observes world-class safety standards and there is a first aid room manned by paramedics. However, coming to play at an extreme theme park, scrapes and bruises are pretty common.

the set up

time for warm up

Anyway, although almost similar to SkyTrex, there are differences. For one, ESCAPE has a total land size of 44 acres, repurposing the land that was once used as staff quarters for the dam construction opposite.

beach volleyball

Atan’s Leap

Opened in September 2012, ESCAPE is owned by Sim Leisure, the company internationally-known for designing, building, operating and managing theme parks around the world. This one is owned by the company, the first in their portfolio. ESCAPE will be incorporating adventure on land (Adventureplay), on water (Waterplay) and a Tree-top Hotel. This is a RM180 million investment that would take six years to realise. Sim Leisure is looking for financiers to invest in ESCAPE. Those interested should contact the company directly.

Gecko Tower, with Atan’s Leap in the background

Edgar trying Go Ape

To be as natural as possible, ESCAPE harvests rain water for washing and cleaning, and soon, for its Waterplay. In fact, the park champions energy-saving efforts with its mainly non-mechanical games, holding on to the motto, ‘low-tech, high fun’. As you can see, it involves plenty of physical exertion.

4-time visitor, Nicholas, still as thrilled with the zipline

Monkey Business

At this point in time, only a section of Adventureplay is open to the public, offering 18 games. The park is smoke-free for staff, and this policy will soon apply to visitors as well.

Monkey Business

Alisha Buckley, learning at the Monkey School as dad, Alex, gives encouragement

Besides the most popular and tough 3-level Monkey Business, there’s Atan’s Leap, where one jumps from a platform 20 metres above ground, or the Flying Lemur, an extension of Monkey Business. Of moderate difficulty, it has two ziplines and various tree-top challenges that test one’s balancing and endurance. It takes about 15 minutes to complete the course.

Roller Racer

souvenir shop

Every Sunday, staff of the park will be dressed in ‘Stop Tourist Scam’ t-shirts, to campaign against the practice of giving commissions or kickbacks to tourist operators or guides who demand for it.